Hirshberg Quits as Nancy Reagan’s Press Aide

WASHINGTON — Jennefer Austin Hirshberg, press secretary to Nancy Reagan, is resigning effective Sept. 3 after just six months and will be succeeded by Elaine Crispin, the First Lady’s special assistant since 1981, it was announced Friday.

Hirshberg will rejoin James C. Miller when he becomes director of the Office of Management and Budget. She had worked under Miller when he was chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.

James S. Rosebush, Mrs. Reagan’s chief of staff, said Hirshberg decided on her own to leave and was unaware of any complaints.

But a White House aide in Santa Barbara, where the Reagans are vacationing, said “she was in trouble” for having inadequate information about the First Lady and an inability to deal with the press.